North East England

Forward-thinking job seekers with skills such as knowledge of sustainable materials and installation of greener technologies will be in an excellent position to pursue a career in the North East.

Major employers include house builders Bellway, Barratt and Persimmon while key construction firms include Newcastle-based Surgo, one of the region’s largest independent building contractors, demolition specialists Thompsons of Prudhoe and Gateshead-based engineering and construction firm Volker Stevin, which aims to expand the workforce from 220 to over 300 by 2012.

It’s predicted that employment within the North East construction sector will reach 118,000 by 2014 – which is 5% higher than 2010 – and that 3,000 new construction jobs will open up between 2010 and 2014, with the greatest demand being for bricklayers, labourers and floorers.

"Forward-thinking job seekers with skills such as knowledge of sustainable materials and installation of greener technologies will be in an excellent position to pursue a career in the North East."

What’s more, a number of Government initiatives should bolster the sector. For instance all social housing must be brought up to Decent Homes standard by the end of 2010 and £600m was pledged in the 2009 budget to increase housing supply.

Professions include:  bricklayers, joiners, plumbers, roofers, architects, civil engineers, surveyors and project managers.

Support skills such as management, sales and customer service are also in demand as well as specialist conservation /heritage skills.